KEY POINTS
- Over 100,000 persons suffer from pollen allergies in Islamabad
- 10,000 paper mulberry trees to be removed amid allergy woes
- Around 45% of allergy sufferers affected by paper mulberry pollen
- Paper mulberry was introduced in the 1960s as part of urban planning
- Allergy season lasts from March to April
ISLAMABAD: In Islamabad, the capital city of Pakistan, the spring season begins in March with the lovely sounds of birds, the bright colours of flowers, and the fresh green buds on trees.
However, for many people, these beautiful signs also bring sneezing, itching, and watery eyes, especially for those who suffer from pollen allergies.
With no cure yet for pollen allergies and the persistent presence of the paper mulberry tree, over 100,000 residents suffer allergic reactions throughout March and April.
The seriousness of pollen allergies was officially recognized in 2003 when the Meteorological Department began daily pollen counts, which were shared with the public.
Among them is Muhammad Basir, who is living in this city since 2002. Each spring, he finds himself grappling with the challenges that come with the blossoming beauty around him.
“Islamabad is adorned with countless paper mulberry trees, yet efforts to eradicate them have been minimal, with the sole exception of a recent initiative in F-9 Park.
The local authorities had devised multiple strategies to tackle this issue, but none came to fruition,” Basir told WE News English, adding this year, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) has made a commitment to eliminate 10,000 paper mulberry trees, pledging to replace them with a vibrant array of 50,000 flowering plants and vegetables.
“Without delay, I take necessary precautions, donning my face mask and retreating indoors as much as possible. I promptly informed my boss that I’d be working from home. Alongside me, I keep my portable nebulizer close at hand.”
He explains that the height of pollen allergies in Islamabad typically spans from March to April, although it can kick off as early as January.
“The air in Islamabad is overwhelmingly filled with Paper Mulberry pollen, which constitutes a staggering 97% of the total pollen count.
The remaining 3% is comprised of Acacia, Eucalyptus, Pines, Grasses, Cannabis, Dandelion, and Alternaria,” he elaborates, noting that as spring unfolds, pollen levels steadily climb, peaking during the vibrant bloom of flowers before tapering off by mid-April.
It’s a crucial time for asthma sufferers to exercise caution, seek medical advice, or remain indoors.
In Islamabad, the spring pollen season is so terrible that people simply try to leave the city, if they can. If they can’t, they try to stay inside.
In United States, it’s the Southern cities—Louisville, Memphis, Oklahoma City, and Jackson, Mississippi—that take the crown for delivering a veritable storm of pollen from seemingly benign trees, as noted by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation.
This invisible onslaught infiltrates the noses, irritates the eyes, and tickles the respiratory tracts of unsuspecting inhabitants.
Yet, when it comes to allergies, American cities pale in comparison to Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, which holds the title of “the allergy capital of the world.”
A high pollen count is measured in the thousands of grains per cubic meter of air—records in the U.S. tend to be below 10,000. In Islamabad, the record is closer to 45,000.
And there’s just one type of tree that’s primarily responsible for this outpour—one that the city’s planner introduced, on purpose, to Islamabad: the paper mulberry.
Historical background
Islamabad is a mid-20th-century city meticulously planned from the ground up. Following Ayub Khan’s military coup in 1958, the Pakistani government aimed to establish a capital city devoid of a civilian population that could distract from the central administration.
To realize this vision, they enlisted Greek urban planner Costantinos Doxiadis, supported by a robust development corporation.
As construction progressed throughout the 1960s, the city’s founders sought to enhance its appeal rapidly.
They envisioned extensive green spaces, but by 1966, when government officials first settled in, Islamabad remained largely arid and lacking in trees.
To remedy this, the development authority selected the fast-growing paper mulberry, native to eastern Asia, as the primary tree for the city.
Helicopters were deployed in the late 1960s to disperse its seeds across Islamabad, leading to a rapid proliferation of these trees. However, over the ensuing decade, they outcompeted native flora.
In the 1990s, rising allergy cases in the city prompted public health investigations, which identified paper mulberry pollen as a significant allergen, affecting approximately 45 percent of allergy sufferers in Islamabad.
While other pollutants like dust and smoke contribute to respiratory issues, the paper mulberry has gained notoriety.
In recent years, the development authority has attempted to remove them; a 2009 court order mandated their removal within three years.
Yet, tens of thousands of these trees remain, and each spring, residents continue to suffer from severe allergies, with pollen counts reaching as high as 35,000 this past March.
Plans to remove mulberry trees
Meanwhile, the civic agency, Capital Development Authority (CDA) has decided to launch a campaign to remove mulberry trees in the federal capital, replacing them with thousands of native plants.
Chairman CDA Muhammad Ali Randhawa stated that no effort would be spared in the removal of paper mulberry trees from Islamabad.
“Local flora, including loquat, guava, fig, apricot, peepal, and native mulberry, among others will be cultivated immediately. Last year, over 5,000 small and large mulberry trees were removed from F-9, while around 10,000 new trees were planted” in their place,” he told WE News English.
He said nearly 30,000 ‘environment-friendly plants’ are slated for planting this spring. He urged the immediate removal of the remaining paper mulberry trees to combat pollen allergies.
Chairman Randhawa proposed that for the reforestation efforts in the Margalla Hills, aerial spraying and seed dropping be conducted via helicopter.
An official of CDA said the total area of green cover was around 108 acres and until March 1, 2025, the authority had removed trees from 52 acres.
What is pollen allergy?
Pollen allergy, also known as “hay fever” or “seasonal allergy,” occurs due to the inhalation of pollen particles from flowers, trees, and grass.
When these pollen particles enter the human body through the nose, mouth, or eyes, the immune system mistakenly recognizes them as harmful, triggering an allergic reaction.
Symptoms of pollen allergy
- Common symptoms of pollen allergy include:
- Runny or blocked nose
- Sneezing
- Itchy, red, or watery eyes
- Sore throat or coughing
- Headaches or fatigue
Ways to prevent pollen allergy
- Stay indoors: Especially in the morning when pollen levels are at their highest.
- Keep windows and doors closed: This helps prevent pollen from entering the home.
- Wear a mask: Using a mask outdoors can prevent pollen particles from being inhaled.
- Wash clothes and hair: After being outside, wash your clothes and hair to remove any pollen particles.
- Use antihistamines: Following a doctor’s advice, antihistamine medications can help reduce allergy symptoms.
Treatment for pollen allergy
If symptoms are severe, it is essential to consult a doctor. Doctors may recommend antihistamines, nasal sprays, or allergy shots (immunotherapy), which can be part of long-term treatment for pollen allergies.
While pollen allergies can be troublesome, proper precautions and appropriate treatment can help minimize their impact.
Pollen season
As March unfolds, the air becomes laden with pollen, heralding the start of allergy season, which typically lasts until late April, peaking in intensity during this time.
In previous years, pollen levels have soared to an astonishing 45,000 particles per cubic meter, creating a challenging environment for many.
Dr. M. Afzaal, the head of research and development at the Meteorology Department in Islamabad, highlights that the most affected areas include Zero Point, the H-8 and H-9 sectors, and the Srinagar Highway, where the notorious paper mulberry tree thrives.
Its prickly pollen grains, intriguingly reminiscent of the coronavirus structure, can provoke a barrage of symptoms: sneezing, red and watery eyes, as well as wheezing.
For those with allergies, Dr. Afzaal emphasizes the importance of heeding medical advice—staying indoors during peak hours, especially around 10 a.m., when pollen levels are highest, and donning masks. Relief often comes at night when cooler temperatures help reduce pollen in the air.
However, the allergy struggle isn’t confined to just March and April; a resurgence occurs in July, exacerbated by humidity for those sensitive to allergens. While vaccinations provide relief for some, they work differently for others, offering a mixed bag of outcomes.
